This weekend I flew to Boston to participate in DukeForward — Duke’s fundraising campaign to raise $3 billion. The event was all about fancy black sedans, ordering room service, first class flights, “strolling suppers”, and really strange and therefore “charming” food. I talked to a lot of super rich alums, learned about a police riot in the 1960’s, and spoke on a panel in a really comfy, really big couch (with an uncooperative headpiece). More excitingly, I was stopped and praised by Mrs. Broadhead, re-met Dean Nowicki (he remembers meeting me freshman year but I awkwardly don’t remember meeting him), and learned about the college admissions process. Overall, it’s pretty apparent to me that Duke is willing to go to extravagant lengths for its alumni and raise its endowment.

Kaihura is a small but growing village in Kyenjojo District. Its residents are friendly and its food delicious. A big part of why I enjoy my visits there is because of the genuine hospitality everyone in BHTF shows us. And every time, I hope that we repay it properly.

I used my last few days in Kaihura to print out pictures to give to the kids at Home Again and a couple others who have helped make my stay so pleasant. I helped Liz and a deaf and/or mute carpenter (Liz called him “dumb”) finally put up the picture frames that Maeve made decades ago and played with all the babies one last time. Then I went around and said good bye to everyone including Debra, Tugume, Manzi, Nora (who I brought back to visit the Duke house), Prossy, and Liz.

I lucked out in traveling to the airport because I got to travel to Entebbe with Faith, who was going to the Congo on the same day for ministry work. We took the Kalita bus and she called Debra and we both talked to Manzi (who makes even less sense on the phone but sounds twice as adorable). Although we experienced a lot of the usual Ugandan waiting game, I arrived at the airport exactly in time for my flight. I hugged Faith good bye and passed security with a breeze. Unfortunately, I also started to feel ill around then. I think I finally caught the fever bug that was going around the Duke house and orphanage. As a result, this round of flights was probably my most uncomfortable personally. I had a fever, threw up, and was sweating uncontrollably. But at least I had no trouble through customs or with any other airport delays!

Now finally being back in the US, I can’t wait for that first home cooked meal (I’m craving my dad’s noodles) and to see dust free paved roads and white, two-story houses again. I feel like now would be the time to write some type of reflection about my last 7 weeks but I honestly can’t think of that much to say. I don’t believe that was my last time in Uganda and I think I’ve mentioned all of my important memories and thoughts in earlier posts. I will say this: every time I go anywhere, I always learn something new. My most enjoyable and surprising lessons have always been abroad though. If you haven’t traveled out of your home country, I believe it’s a sincere must. You won’t regret it.

Last week, I spent 3 days in Kyongera. The DEID (Duke Engineers for International Development) team is constructing two 3-classroom buildings there. For the first time in my life, I dug foundations, mixed and loaded concrete, and carried bricks & water with tools no more sophisticated than a shovel, hoe, and my own two hands. I know I say this a lot but the men here are truly very kanyama — strong. My shoulders were sore even though the amount I would shovel was pitiable compared to how much the Ugandans could lift. I think we’re helpful but obviously much slower. One day, the workers honestly just took all the shovels from us and started mixing concrete by themselves because they wanted to finish by 4pm. Still, it is at least nice to do something labor intensive. I’ve been sitting around too much lately.

Part of what makes going to Kyongera tough is also the 4 mile (one way) bike ride. The unpaved road is very rocky and hilly. There are also boda bodas and trucks that speed pass with barely any regard to how close they are to your unsteady bicycle. Multiple students have already fallen and gotten hurt on the ride and two or three bikes have broken down even though they are American quality shipped straight from the USA.

On the days that I haven’t gone to Kyongera, I’ve continued visiting Faith’s house and Home Again. I really enjoy playing with Manzi Josiah, Faith’s adopted son. He’s 2 years old and has the strangest smile (he sort of just curls his lower lip over the top). At first, he acted very shyly towards Maeve and I but since I’ve been around, he’s warmed up quite a bit. Now he’ll run and hug me whenever he sees me and will babble incessantly in a Rutooro/English mix that few but Debra and Faith can understand. He also loves playing games on my iPhone. His favorite is Smack Gugl.

Home Again is about the same as ever. Vincent was very feverish and sick but thankfully most of the other children seemed perfectly healthy. They really enjoy playing with the puzzles, coloring books, jump ropes, and various other games that the Schaads have brought. I love seeing them so happy and excited but it makes me sad how things don’t seem to last at the orphanage. I’m sure they’ve received tons of presents and toys from past volunteers but they often break or disappear fairly soon. I think the longest lasting playthings they have are their basketball hoop and playground.

I’m also happy to say that around 4 of us have started playing volleyball on a daily basis. It isn’t quite the same since Sam and Amos went back to Kampala early for school, but Moses still shows up occasionally as so do many other good players. They’re mostly men but there’s one girl who is very good. I only wish they would come a little earlier since we have started playing well until the sun has set and it becomes difficult to see the ball. But the same friendly rivalry and competition still exists so it’s fun.

Since I’m leaving Thursday, I’m fairly glad nothing happened at the Entebbe airport. I’m not sure how I feel leaving a second time. I’m glad I came to form new friendships and strengthen old ones. I’ll miss the new café (and specifically it’s banana loaves) and other small things about Kaihura but i don’t really want to think about going yet. It’s still too early.

Last week, the most exciting and hyped up event was Stephen and Monica’s Introduction at Faith’s house on Thursday. Her house was packed with all sorts of people setting up and getting ready and the number of kids running around was nuts. The wedding itself was in Fort Portal on Saturday.

The Introduction is a purely Ugandan ceremony that is best described as a well staged play. It involves the groom’s family arriving at the bride’s home and publicly negotiating with her family the dowry, including how many cows to give. Since Monica is an orphan, Faith (who is somehow related) hosted. However, she did not talk since traditionally fathers hammer out the details. Another part of the Introduction involved the groom choosing his correct fiancé out of serveral “Monica’s” presented in staggered groups throughout the afternoon. The first group involved children (including Juliette, Daphne, and Sharon from Home Again) while the other two were all made of adults (including Prossy and Debra). In total, there were probably around 20 “Monica’s”. They were all dressed in beautiful traditional clothing. Monica only appeared in the last group and was by far the most dressed up girl with a lot of gold in her hair and wearing very fancy, shimmery material. There were lots of Rutooro jokes and Dharaja, the children’s choir, also performed. They were my absolute favorite part. Faith’s house was beautifully decorated and painted for the 400 guests. Nearly everyone from BHTF was there, including the children from Home Again we were pretty sure skipped school. While the negotiations were real, some of the presents were symbolic. One girl told us that the Introduction was really a lesson for the groom to learn patience.

On Saturday, the wedding was at a small, somewhat dirty church completely filled with guests. Several church choirs sang and a special dance group also gave a performance. Juliette, Purity, and Victor acted as flower girls and boy. Stephen and Monica sat at chairs at the front of the church with big smiles on their faces. After all of the welcoming and introductions were made (and trust me, there were A LOT), the two exchanged vows, hugged (PDA is not very acceptable in Uganda), and signed their marriage certificate. While the Introduction involved traditional dress and about 4 outfit changes for Monica during the half day event, the groom and bride dressed in suit & tie and white wedding dress at the church. The wedding lasted 4 hours, mostly because of the religious singing and dancing. Even though those took up the most time, they were also fun. The couple also received a sermon from Stephen’s uncle on how to be good to each other that honestly sounded rather repetitive and long to me. In fact, both ceremonies were very dragged out and we did not stay for the entirety of either. We also showed up more than 2 hours early to both. I went with Caroline (a volunteer from last year) and the Schaad family. All of it was pretty drawn out and boring and I really wouldn’t have gone if Stephen hadn’t been such a great friend and lived in our house 2 years ago. But now I don’t think I’ll be going to another wedding for a very long time.

Otherwise, nothing much has happened. A lot of the volunteer groups have left. We’ve started playing volleyball and found a mini market in Fort Portal that sold really pretty, unique African material. We also enjoyed ice cream over the weekend and got caught in a rainstorm walking back to Mountains of the Moon. Kelsey (Schaad) got to deliver a baby at the clinic and I’ve slowly taught the babies my name. Kato (I’ve been spelling his name wrong this whole time) has started running up to me and asking me to pick him up almost every time I see him. I’ve been more than happy to comply. With less than 2 weeks left here, I’m looking forward to helping the DukeEngage team build classrooms at Kyongera and to continue visiting Home Again.